| IRISH NAMES FOR MALE PUPS | IRISH NAMES FOR FEMALE PUPS |
| Finn (fair or white) | Aoife (beautiful, radiant) |
| Guinness (a popular Irish beer) | Niamh (bright, radiant) |
| Eoin (God is gracious) | Caoimhe (gentle, precious) |
| Conlan (strong as a wolf) | Shamrock (a symbol of Ireland) |
| Aidan (fiery one) | Clodagh (a river in Ireland) |
| Dublin (a city in Ireland) | Sinead (God is gracious) |
Irish names have so much history, and those names with mythical roots sound so cool. Granted, the spelling and pronunciation can be a bit hard, but they are worth the effort. And today, we’ll help you pick the perfect Irish name for your new dog. This piece will go through the most unique and popular Irish dog names and their meanings. So, let’s dive into the details.
Popular Irish Dog Names for Your New Pup
By giving your pup an Irish dog name, you’re showing that the dog is a part of your family. But any name won’t do. We’ve explored hundreds of Irish female and male dog names to list the very best ones for you. Go through them and choose the right name from this list.
By giving your pup an Irish dog name, you’re showing that the dog is a part of your family. But any name won’t do. We’ve explored hundreds of Irish female and male dog names to list the very best ones for you. Go through them and choose the right name from this list.
Aiden
Aiden means little fire and has roots in Irish history. It’s an anglicized form of Aodhan, which was the name of several ancient rulers of Ireland in addition to the early saints. So, this would make a cool Irish name for large hunting dogs like Scottish Deerhound or Wolfhound.
Aisling
It means vision, or a poetic description of vision, and has an Irish origin. The Vision of Adamnán is quite well-known among the Irish public. The name would suit a cute dog.
Alma
This one is particularly ideal for female Irish dogs. It means kind, fostering mother and would suit your cute puppy really well. It has a male version as well; Almo. Looking for more Irish dog names? Keep reading!
Braden
This name is said to be of Proto-Indo-European origin. It means salmon. Now, the ancient legend has it that a person named Fionn Mac Cumhaill got to meet the Salmon of Wisdom and got highly valuable knowledge from it.
He then used the knowledge gained from the fish to lead a group of Irish mercenaries named Fianna. We think the name would be a lovely fit for a loyal dog.
Brody
It means someone who has come from a muddy area. I’m sure your water-splashing pup would love this name.
Carrick
The word is of Irish Gaelic origin and means castle. It would make a great Irish name for a powerful guard dog.
Ciara
We find pups with dark coats really cute, and they can melt your heart. On top of that, some of the most intelligent breeds like Doberman Pinscher and Labrador retriever are black. And this name means dark and would be an ideal fit for your girl dog with a dark coat.
Colin
Colin means uproar. So, it would be perfect for a highly-energetic dog. You should give this a thought if you own tough Irish breeds like Irish Setter or Border Collie.
Conor
It’s a pretty popular Irish name and is a modern version of the Irish legend Conaire Mor. The meaning of the name is Lover of Hounds. So, it would be a really cool name for an Irish Wolfhound:
Declan
This one means an abundance of goodness. The name gained popularity due to the early saint named Declán of Ard Mór. He was one of the earliest persons to bring Christianity to Ireland. That’s why the name also means a man of prayer. So, it would be a nice idea to name your obedient boy dog Declan.
Dublin
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and an amazing choice for your dog’s name. No name represents Irish culture like Dublin, so it’s a great inspiration for an Irish dog name.
Ethne
It has different meanings including fire and grain. Ethne is a female name. So, if you have a female dog with a really strong personality, this could be the perfect name for it.
Fergus
This means high energy. The name is associated with an Irish mythological figure named Fergus, who was a valiant warrior. So, that would be an apt name for your hound and other hunting dog breeds.
Kelly
This one is one of the popular female dog names. It comes from the word Ceallach and means female warrior. So, if you’ve got a powerful female retriever at your home, this one can be the right choice for you.
Liam
Liam means a strong-willed warrior. It will be hard to find a better name for the stubborn pup who refuses to follow the order.
Editor’s Note
My POV: giving your furry friend a touch of Emerald Isle heritage is a great idea, but make sure you read the disadvantages below as well! Please note that it is important to consider the suitability of the name for your dog, and ensure that the name is easy to pronounce and remember, and also that you are comfortable calling your dog by that name.
From traditional Irish monikers to more modern options, we’ve rounded up a variety of names to suit every type of pup. If you find the perfect name for your new companion on my list, let me know!
Famous Irish People to Name Your Dog After
It’s a common instinct to name Irish dog breeds after the person you admire. So, here, we bring you the most popular faces in Ireland that you can name your dog after.
- Bono (singer, activist, and lead vocalist of U2);
- Colin Farrell (actor, e.g. in Batman);
- Jonathan Rhys Meyers (actor, e.g. in The Tudors);
- Liam Neeson (actor in e.g. Schindler’s List);
- Oscar Wilde (poet and playwright, e.g. The Picture of Dorian Gray);
- Gabriel Byrne (actor e.g. in Lies We Tell);
- Enya (Celtic music singer);
- Shane Lowry (professional golf player);
- Van Morrison (singer and songwriter e.g. Days Like This);
- Dolores O’Riordan (alternative rock singer, lead vocalist of The Cranberries);
- Pierce Brosnan (actor e.g. in Mama Mia);
- Michael Fassbender (German-Irish actor, e.g. in Prometheus);
- Sinead O’Connor (singer e.g. in Nothing Compares 2 U);
- Graham Norton (commentator, actor, comedian);
- Maureen O’Hara (singer and actress, e.g. in The Parent Trap);
- Damien Rice (singer & multi-instrumentalist);
- Cillian Murphy (actor e.g. Inception);
- Chris O’Dowd (comedian and actor, e.g. in The Sapphires;
- Conor McGregor (mixed martial artist fighter);
- James Joyce (writer, e.g. Ulysses);
- Fionnula Flanagan (actress e.g. in Ulysses in Nighttime);
- Katie Taylor (boxer and football player);
- Jamie Dornan (actor e.g. in Private War);
- Niall Horan (One Direction singer);
- Saoirse Ronan (actress, e.g. in Lady Bird). Make sure you know how to pronounce her name:
Dog Names Based on Irish Towns
If you were brought up in Ireland, you must be very close to the cities of this beautiful country. If you want to choose a name for your favorite pooch based on one of the Irish cities, then this list can help.
- Burren;
- Blarney;
- Belfast;
- Cork;
- Connemara;
- Dublin;
- Doolin;
- Donegal;
- Ennis;
- Galway;
- Killarney;
- Kilkenny;
- Limerick (or Limmy for short);
- Moher;
- Wexford.
Unique Irish Dog Names
Here’s a unique list of Irish names that will fit both Irish male dogs and Irish girl dogs. You can select one from here for your new pup.
- Beefy;
- Cabbage;
- Castle;
- Clover;
- Coin;
- Emerald;
- Fin MacCool;
- Gael;
- Greeny;
- Hilly;
- Ireland;
- Irish;
- Lamb;
- Leprechaun;
- Lucky;
- Lush.
Conclusion
Your pup deserves the very best name, and hopefully, our list provided you with one. We tried to offer a wide range of names for various types of breeds. But if you don’t like one from our list, there are thousands of Irish dog names out there that you can explore. Keep looking until you find the perfect Irish name.
Take a look at the pros and cons of giving your pooch an Irish name:
| PROS | CONS |
| Cultural significance: Irish names have rich cultural history and meaning, which can be a unique and meaningful way to honor your dog’s heritage. | Pronunciation difficulties: Have you seen memes about Irish names? They’re often compared to meaningless strings of letters, since a non-Irish speaker will have no idea how to say Caoimhe or Sioban. |
| Uniqueness: Irish names are not as common as other names, so your dog will likely have a unique name that sets them apart from other dogs. | Limited options: There aren’t too many Irish names that are also simple enough for a dog. |
| Interesting sounds: Irish names are often catchy and won’t get mixed up with the dozens of Fidos and Daisies at the park. | Misspelling: If you choose one of the less-than-obvious names, next time someone wants to text you about your dog, they’ll take a while to remember how the name was spelled. |
Ultimately, you should choose a name based on what you think is best for your furry friend. It is important to pick a name that you like and that you feel represents your dog well.
Irish Dog Names: Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a Good Irish Name for a Dog?
It all depends on the personality and traits of your dog. Some good Irish names are Beefy, Cabbage, Castle, Clover, Coin, Emerald, Fin MacCool, Gael, Greeny, Hilly Ireland, Irish Leprechauns Lush, etc. But you can also try out names from your favorite Irish town or characters from Irish mythology.
What Is a Good Irish Name for a Male Dog?
There are many options for good Irish names for male dogs, including Tyson, Beowulf, Fergus, Liam, Aidan, Guinness, and Keagan. Ultimately, you should choose a name that is unique and fits your dog’s personality and appearance.
What Is the Most Popular Dog Name in Ireland?
Plenty of Irish people name their dogs Molly, Bailey, Cooper, Max, Charlie, Buddy, Jack, and Bella. If you want to blend into the crowd, go for one of them!
What Is a Good Irish Name for a Female Dog?
Popular options for female dogs include Kaelyn and Clover, which evoke the Emerald Isle’s unique culture. Other great choices are Shannon, Saoirse, or Bridget to honor traditional Celtic influences; Kelly and Fiona add a sprinkle of royal flavor. For those looking for something classic but timeless too – Molly, Riley & Emma can’t be beat!
How Do You Say Dog in Irish?
Madra is the Irish word for dog. The plural is madraí, and two alternative forms are madar and madradh. Why not base your dog’s name on this word if you’re at a loss for ideas?
Lucas Taylor is a veterinary assistant, freelance journalist and single dad who lives in the suburbs with his three pups: Ruby, Nala, and Woody. He has one cat named Pepper. When he’s not writing articles or working at the vet clinic, Lucas loves cooking French cuisine for himself and friends at home. One of Lucas’ favorite things to do is paddleboard with his son Noah and their canine companions. Pepper is the homebody of the bunch – she loves chilling on the couch.
